Dear Friends and Supporters,

We would like to inform you that the California Agriculture Museum will be temporarily closing its doors for relocation. This decision, while bittersweet, is a necessary step to ensure that our collection continues to grow and thrive in a new facility that will better serve our mission to educate, inspire, and preserve the rich history of agriculture.

Since our opening in 1997, we have been dedicated to sharing the Heidrick family’s private collection of tractors and agricultural machinery, educating visitors about the pivotal role agriculture plays in our lives, economy, and health. We have also focused on preserving the culture and science behind farming while inspiring future generations of farmers and agricultural enthusiasts. For nearly three decades, the Museum has become a cherished institution, attracting visitors from around the world who have been amazed by our extensive and rare collection.

The roots of the Museum trace back to the 1930s when Fred Heidrick Sr. and his brother Joe began restoring and inventing tractors and farm machinery. By the 1990s, Fred decided his collection should be displayed to the public. He established the Fred C. Heidrick Foundation and donated the collection to it. In 1997, along with very generous donors, they opened the Museum’s facility at 1962 Hays Lane.

This facility included exhibit halls, a banquet room, and a courtyard, becoming a hub for sharing the history of agriculture. In 2015, the Museum officially became The California Agriculture Museum as we know it today.

Throughout its almost 30-year history, the Museum has received tremendous support, not only from the Heidrick family but, more importantly, from the community. It is thanks to so many of you supporters that the Museum has become what it is today.

Unfortunately, in the last few years, a significant property tax increase has deeply affected the Museum’s finances. Despite repeated pleas to the County Assessor, as well as consultations regarding retaining our original tax categorization, it became clear that a decision to vacate the premises is our only alternative. This decision did not come lightly, especially knowing the love and support we have from the community.

In 2024, we took a significant step by removing our admission fees, making the Museum a free experience for all visitors. This change was recommended by the county to resolve our property tax issue, but unfortunately, it did not provide the relief we had hoped for. Nevertheless, we have continued offering free admission as it has allowed more families and individuals to enjoy the Museum, and we are grateful for the increased traffic and continued support. We have received nothing but positive feedback since becoming a free Museum, aligning with our goal of educating and inspiring agricultural interest in our youth.

Looking ahead, our relocation is an exciting new chapter that will open many doors and provide the space and resources to house one of the largest and rarest tractor collections in the world. Although we are temporarily closing, we will continue sharing the collection through appointment-based tours and other outreach efforts. This relocation will better serve our mission and offer enhanced experiences for future visitors. We are committed to staying in Yolo County or Northern California and hope this announcement will help us find the perfect location close to our roots. While no location has been finalized, we are actively searching for the ideal space.

We want to assure you that this hiatus will not be long. The Museum will remain active in our community, continuing to plan for the future and preserve our agricultural treasures during this transition. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to welcoming you back in the near future at our new location.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. We can’t wait to share our new home with you when we reopen. To further support the Museum, visit us before March 30th to see the collection and shop in our gift store. Any monetary donations will directly help with our relocation efforts and can be made in person at the Museum, on our website, or mailed to 1958 Hays Lane, Woodland, CA 95776.

— Sincerely, The California Agriculture Museum Team